AWARDS: CLUBS SA

Celebrating excellence

The outstanding efforts of the South Australia club industry were honoured at the 2023 SA Clubs & Community Awards.

ON THE EVENING of 21 October, nearly 500 people from the club industry gathered for the 2023 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards Gala Dinner at Adelaide Oval. It was an incredible night of celebration, comradery and good old-fashioned fun.

More than 50 finalist clubs and individuals took part in the nomination and judging process. The winners, while very worthy, were up against extremely tough competition in every category.

Clubs SA CEO Peter Apostolopoulos heaped praise both on the winners, and all the clubs and venues that have made the SA club landscape excel in recent years, supporting their surrounding communities.

“This year not-for-profit sporting and community clubs continued to demonstrate their vital importance to their communities, as evidenced by record attendance numbers and in turn participation.

“With over 39,000 volunteers, 19,800 staff, and $918m in social contribution by South Australian Clubs to their communities it is important that the outstanding efforts of the licensed Clubs industry, and of course the people within the Clubs, are appropriately acknowledged and celebrated. Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards go a long way towards doing this,” stated Apostolopoulos.

“With yet another year of large nomination numbers and the highest quality entries, judging has never been more difficult, with all finalists deserving of recognition and accolades.”

The major awards were spread out across South Australia and various types of clubs, with Small Club of the Year awarded to Goodwood Saints Football Club in Adelaide.

“An incredible achievement that acknowledges the ongoing contribution of everyone involved in Goodwood Saints Football Club. These awards recognise the tireless commitment to our values and behaviours on inclusion, care and excellence. Congratulations to the other winners and finalists,” the club said in a statement.

Medium Club of the Year was awarded to Hectorville Sports & Community Club in Magill, with judges noting: “The Hectorville Sports & Community Club operates both professionally and ethically and has a commendable business model. With fortnightly Committee Meetings, a focused strategic direction, a high level of engagement and respect for their local community, whilst still providing excellent sporting facilities and support.”

Large Club of the Year was taken out by The Clubhouse Tanunda in the Barossa Valley, which also took out Best Renovation. The judges suggested it was a very difficult category to judge, but nonetheless, they said of Clubhouse Tanunda: “Needless to say, the judging panel present at the final meeting were unanimous in their decision for this year’s winner. A beautiful Club, proving that looking outside of the box can often bring huge rewards. Congratulations to The Clubhouse!”

Club Management congratulates all finalists and winners of the 2023 SA Clubs & Community Awards.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Grassroots Sport – Goodwood Saints Football Club

Outstanding Community Service – The Croatian Club

Inclusiveness – North Haven Surf Life Saving Club

Environmental Awareness – Glenelg Golf Club

Cook/Apprentice of the Year – Michael Peel, Renmark Club

Chef of the Year (joint winners) – Peter Katsaitis, Renmark Club Tara Pollard, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club

Employee of the Year – Kellie Paisley, South Adelaide Football Club

Manager of the Year – Karen Gully, Cadell Club

Volunteer of the Year – Geoff Burden, Encounter Bay Football Club

Best Bar Environment – The Clubhouse, Tanunda Club

Best Function/Event Venue – Club Marion, Marion Sports & Community Club

Best Dining (Café/Bistro) – Renmark Club

Best Gaming – The Murray Bridge Club

Best Club Refurbishment – The Clubhouse, Tanunda Club

Sporting Club of the Year – Goodwood Saints Football Club

Club of the Year (Small) – North Haven Surf Life Saving Club

Club of the Year (Medium) – Hectorville Sports & Community Club

Club of the Year (Large) – The Clubhouse, Tanunda Club